Besançon Tarot - Il Meneghello Edizioni

A deck in 78 cards created in Besançon, France, in 1700. Limited edition of 1500 decks.

Within the rich tapestry of Tarot decks, the Besançon type stands out for its unique iconography and historical context. This variant, originating in an area with diverse religious affiliations, deviates from the established imagery of the Marseilles Tarot in several key ways.

Substitution of Papess and Pope: Perhaps the most striking difference lies in the replacement of the Papess (II) and Pope (V) with Roman deities. Juno, the goddess of women and marriage, takes the place of the Papess, while Jupiter, the king of the gods, supplants the Pope. This alteration is believed to have been motivated by a desire to avoid offending religious sensibilities in a region marked by confessional tensions.

Additional Distinctive Features: Beyond this central alteration, the Besançon Tarot exhibits further subtle variations compared to its Marseilles counterpart:

Lovers: Cupid, the Roman god of love, aims his arrow directly at the eyes of the lovers, emphasizing the passionate and focused nature of their connection.
Moon: The lunar figure no longer appears in profile but stares directly at the viewer, potentially amplifying the card's association with introspection and hidden truths.
World: The final card, The World (XXI), depicts its central figure not dancing, as in the Marseilles tradition, but standing in a balanced contrapposto pose, suggesting a sense of harmony and stability achieved through the completion of a cycle.
These distinctive features, while seemingly minor, contribute to the Besançon Tarot's unique character and historical significance. They offer a glimpse into the cultural and religious landscape of the region where the deck emerged, reflecting a desire to adapt a familiar system to local sensitivities while preserving its core symbolic meaning.